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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 10:39:32 AM


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Title: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 10:39:32 AM
5 days of elk hunting, with very little sign of elk and nothing bugling, averaging about 15 miles of hiking per day.  Yesterday evening, the last evening of hunting, I'm sitting on a stump where I'd seen a monster buck with double drop tines a few days prior and hear a bull elk bugle twice, about 500 yards away.  As I'm trying to figure out where he is, so I can stalk in on him, I hear 2 car doors slam, a horn honk and then gun fire from the OK Corral!  30 yards from me, a dad and his 2 teenage sons decide to target practice with their 22s!  Ugh!  I walked up behind them and said, "Archery Elk season in the middle of nowhere, elk are finally bugling and you decide this would be a good place to target practice?!"  The dad just about jumped out of his skin, not realizing I was there. He apologizes and says "We're out of here."  I relocated about 2 miles away, with a couple mountain ridges between us.  I could hear them shooting still, 2 hours later!  GRRRRR!!!!!

As I walk out, I see his truck blocking the Forest Service gate to the road I'd walked in on...

Is it wrong to admit I wondered how his tires would stand up to a broadhead?
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: BIGINNER on September 09, 2013, 10:52:30 AM
public land?  :dunno:
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: bigdave on September 09, 2013, 11:12:48 AM
To you it is the culmination of months of planning and anticipation and expense, so I understand your frustration......to others it is just a day in the woods with their kids.

I believe your frustration is misguided.........Get over it and plan to get the heck away from the road next year.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: grundy53 on September 09, 2013, 11:14:21 AM
To you it is the culmination of months of planning and anticipation and expense, so I understand your frustration......to others it is just a day in the woods with their kids.

I believe your frustration is misguided.........Get over it and plan to get the heck away from the road next year.

:yeah:

sent from my typewriter

Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: WonkyWapiti on September 09, 2013, 11:29:18 AM
I don't think his frustration is misguided.  He said he'd been putting on 15 miles a day so he's been out there.   Bowhunters don't own the woods, that is correct.  I also don't think I'd be going out during muzzleloader season or rifle season to blast away either tho.  I'm sure there would be plenty of happy hunters.   ;)
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on September 09, 2013, 11:31:13 AM
I understand the frustration....I'm a elk bow hunter/deer rifle hunter and heard guys shooting all day yesterday....just have to work around it....it didn't affect the elk I was after.....but as far as getting off the road more, maybe in the east side you can but try doing it on the westside on the coast where I hunt....there are roads literally   everywhere....your lucky to find a chunk of timber a mile long...you just have to get in the thick stuff where they hide.....I bet that bull that bugled didn't move far after the .22 shots....I would have just asked them politely if they could go down the road and shoot that you were after a bull and didn't want the shots to spook him....chances are a fellow hunter wouldn't have a problem with doing that...and if he didn't want to move then you just have to adapt....I would have still went after that bull
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on September 09, 2013, 11:35:19 AM
I am a bowhunter but I don't think what the Dad did by taking his boys shooting archery season was wrong or disrespectful....and even though he may not have moved far enough for your liking he still inconvenienced himself in an attempt to be respectful to your wishes.... I can definitely understand the frustration..... but  the anger...  (broadhead in tire feeling)...no. Go further and stay further from the road if you don't want to deal with those types of things.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: Jonathan_S on September 09, 2013, 11:36:13 AM
I agree, I doubt that bull went far after the shots were fired.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: Elkstuffer on September 09, 2013, 11:36:32 AM
I agree it is public land and everyone is entitled to use it. However, I am going to muzzy hunt this year and need to put a few rounds through my muzzleloader and out of respect to the archery hunters, which normally I am one, I chose to wait until after the 15th to do so.

I've been on the other side also and had my son with me while archery deer hunting and had guys open up with there pistols and rifles. First I was ticked and then I just feared for the safety of my son. Not everyone is cognizant of there surroundings or responsible enough to use a backstop.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 11:37:02 AM
You are all correct.  I had no right to be upset at them.  In fact, as I walked past them, I did apologize for my attitude.  Luckily, since teenagers were present, I'd also kept my language civil or I'd have been apologizing for that as well.  It wasn't so much JUST the target shooting that was the irritation, though that did irritate me, even though it shouldn't have.  When I used to shoot guns, if I was out on public land target practicing, I'd make sure I wasn't near anyone.  These guys were shooting within view of my camp trailer, actually shooting towards it. I'd also make sure no hunting opportunities were in the area that I might interfere with, even though I had a right to be there. Also, I gotta disagree with the statement that archery hunters think they own the woods.  My cousin spent a night at camp with me and joined me the following day with his 30-06, on the chance we saw a bear.  Grouse hunters were also in the area.  None of this bothered me in the least.  Archery season isn't the only season open right now. 

All of the days prior, I'd been MUCH further from any gates, many miles as a matter of fact.  The first day, I'd been past this same gate, about 8 miles.  On the way back to camp I'd seen a huge buck at this location but couldn't get closer than 60 yards and didn't want to spook it.  So, I figured since I wasn't seeing much for elk I'd spend my last evening hunting for that buck.  Low and behold, I hear the first elk bugle of the entire 5 days and the elk is within 500 yards of me.

All in all, even though I didn't bring home any meat, I did really enjoy my time in the woods, which is really what it's all about.  In 5 days, I put probably 60 miles in hiking.  Even though I didn't see any elk, I did see a lot of deer and A LOT of beautiful country. 
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 11:38:39 AM
I am a bowhunter but I don't think what the Dad did by taking his boys shooting during acherchy season was wrong or disrespectful....and even though he may not have moved far enough for your liking he still inconvenienced himself in an attempt to be respectful to your wishes.... I can definitely understand the frustration..... but  the anger...  (broadhead in tire feeling)...no. Go further and stay further from the road if you don't want to deal with those types of things.

He didn't move at all.  I moved.  The broadhead in a tire feeling was actually a joke.  I'd never consider anything like that.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 11:40:42 AM
I am a bowhunter but I don't think what the Dad did by taking his boys shooting during acherchy season was wrong or disrespectful....and even though he may not have moved far enough for your liking he still inconvenienced himself in an attempt to be respectful to your wishes.... I can definitely understand the frustration..... but  the anger...  (broadhead in tire feeling)...no. Go further and stay further from the road if you don't want to deal with those types of things.

He didn't move at all.  I moved. They had 3 10-22s. An hour later it sounded like they were racing to see who could empty their magazines the quickest, reloading and doing it again...over and over...lol  The broadhead in a tire feeling was actually a joke.  I'd never consider anything like that.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on September 09, 2013, 11:41:38 AM
I am a bowhunter but I don't think what the Dad did by taking his boys shooting during acherchy season was wrong or disrespectful....and even though he may not have moved far enough for your liking he still inconvenienced himself in an attempt to be respectful to your wishes.... I can definitely understand the frustration..... but  the anger...  (broadhead in tire feeling)...no. Go further and stay further from the road if you don't want to deal with those types of things.

ahh..thanks for the clarification.
He didn't move at all.  I moved.  The broadhead in a tire feeling was actually a joke.  I'd never consider anything like that.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: MADMAX on September 09, 2013, 11:45:54 AM
I do think it's pretty irritating to spend that much time preparing for archery season to have a bunch of guys show up in the middle of prime elk habitat 12 miles in on a dirt road to decide to open up with every type of heavy magnum known to man at the "pit"
I know this time it was just a .22 and a guy and kids and understand it public land, but really cant we have just a couple weeks ?
 I honestly think some guys do it on purpose to scr*w the bow hunters from taking "their elk"
I'll get flamed but I can just see me going out to some clearcut opening morning of modern elk season and sitting there before first light banging on a drum set.
Yea I'd get shot at I know, but hey its public land right ?
So it’s a 2 way street
IMO
 :twocents:
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: RadSav on September 09, 2013, 11:54:24 AM
The year the wife had her Toutle tag we experienced the same thing.  We were a couple miles in past a gate the cows with the bull we were after had crossed less than 30 yards from the wife.  All we had to do was wait for the bull that was lagging fifty yards behind.  Then WWIII started a couple hundred yards down the hill.  Father and son had hiked into their favorite target shooting spot and just dumped the arsenal as fast as they could :bash:  The BIG bull decided chasing cows could wait and he bugged out.

The brief conversation led me to believe he knew we were hunting the area and on the bull.  But he had a rifle Toutle tag and didn't want us bowhunters in the area because that was "His" elk.  I have to admit a broadhead through the tires might have crossed my mind :chuckle:  Ahhh public land hunting, gotta love it! 

Could be worse though.  Could be Texas where 95% of all land is private!
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: KopperBuck on September 09, 2013, 11:59:11 AM
I've had archery hunters give us the dirty look when grouse hunting. I just smile and wave.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: RadSav on September 09, 2013, 12:01:53 PM
I've had archery hunters give us the dirty look when grouse hunting. I just smile and wave.

Dang grouse hunters!!!!  How dare you hunt MY woods and then laugh and wave at me.   :chuckle:
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 12:19:38 PM
I've had archery hunters give us the dirty look when grouse hunting. I just smile and wave.

Heck, I kept one arrow tipped with a Judo tip, just in case I got a shot at a grouse.  I will say, there's an abundance of grouse where I was elk hunting.  I passed up a few "iffy" grouse shots where I figured I'd lose my arrow...lol.

Grouse hunters, even those using shotguns, didn't bother me at all.  We're all hunters.   I have nothing against a dad taking his sons out shooting.  I've been that dad.  They were shooting towards my camp trailer, which they knew was there.  The fact that I was also finally on a bull just compounded the irritation factor...that part wasn't their fault though.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: ICEMAN on September 09, 2013, 12:23:01 PM
Cavemen experienced the same frustrations.

These frustrations between us hunter groups has gone on forever. Don't let it get the best of you. It is an inevitable part of hunting. Best to plan on frustration, then appreciate your time when it doesn't.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: coachcw on September 09, 2013, 01:09:02 PM
for elk in general areas where roads and shooting are common I don't think it bugs elk that much. we shot last week into a hillside many times , I walked over there yesterday and there was freash elk sign every where , I watched a group of bulls one year just sit and watch a group of guys shoot about a 1/4 mile away and could care less. back country is a different story the bug out .
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: RadSav on September 09, 2013, 01:15:13 PM
for elk in general areas where roads and shooting are common I don't think it bugs elk that much. we shot last week into a hillside many times , I walked over there yesterday and there was freash elk sign every where , I watched a group of bulls one year just sit and watch a group of guys shoot about a 1/4 mile away and could care less. back country is a different story the bug out .

I've noticed the same thing.  When I was sighting in my spring bear gun the year we had to stop and wait for the elk to cross 50 yards behind my target.  Not a lot of distance between our targets and a near vertical embankment.  You would think they would be nervous of such a pinch point, but nope!  About 15 cows didn't have a care in the world.  That bull mentioned earlier a few miles back in nearly turned inside out trying to get to the thick safety stuff.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: Igottanewknee on September 09, 2013, 01:16:07 PM
Unless the elk were within a couple hundred yards from where they were shooting, the elk don't really care. I don't know how many times I've been watching elk, and somebody has been shooting their pistols and shot guns within a half to quarter mile away and it seems the elk don't really care. Maybe local herd that has heard it before (down by South Bend), but that is my experience.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: WalleyeJason on September 09, 2013, 01:21:10 PM
5 days of elk hunting, with very little sign of elk and nothing bugling, averaging about 15 miles of hiking per day.  Yesterday evening, the last evening of hunting, I'm sitting on a stump where I'd seen a monster buck with double drop tines a few days prior and hear a bull elk bugle twice, about 500 yards away.  As I'm trying to figure out where he is, so I can stalk in on him, I hear 2 car doors slam, a horn honk and then gun fire from the OK Corral!  30 yards from me, a dad and his 2 teenage sons decide to target practice with their 22s!  Ugh!  I walked up behind them and said, "Archery Elk season in the middle of nowhere, elk are finally bugling and you decide this would be a good place to target practice?!"  The dad just about jumped out of his skin, not realizing I was there. He apologizes and says "We're out of here."  I relocated about 2 miles away, with a couple mountain ridges between us.  I could hear them shooting still, 2 hours later!  GRRRRR!!!!!

As I walk out, I see his truck blocking the Forest Service gate to the road I'd walked in on...

Is it wrong to admit I wondered how his tires would stand up to a broadhead?

Average walking speed over flat ground is 3.5 Mph, I suggest maybe cutting down on the walking and do a bit more hunting.  Putting in 15 miles a day only leaves you tired and frustrated.

Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 01:25:19 PM
5 days of elk hunting, with very little sign of elk and nothing bugling, averaging about 15 miles of hiking per day.  Yesterday evening, the last evening of hunting, I'm sitting on a stump where I'd seen a monster buck with double drop tines a few days prior and hear a bull elk bugle twice, about 500 yards away.  As I'm trying to figure out where he is, so I can stalk in on him, I hear 2 car doors slam, a horn honk and then gun fire from the OK Corral!  30 yards from me, a dad and his 2 teenage sons decide to target practice with their 22s!  Ugh!  I walked up behind them and said, "Archery Elk season in the middle of nowhere, elk are finally bugling and you decide this would be a good place to target practice?!"  The dad just about jumped out of his skin, not realizing I was there. He apologizes and says "We're out of here."  I relocated about 2 miles away, with a couple mountain ridges between us.  I could hear them shooting still, 2 hours later!  GRRRRR!!!!!

As I walk out, I see his truck blocking the Forest Service gate to the road I'd walked in on...

Is it wrong to admit I wondered how his tires would stand up to a broadhead?

Average walking speed over flat ground is 3.5 Mph, I suggest maybe cutting down on the walking and do a bit more hunting.  Putting in 15 miles a day only leaves you tired and frustrated.

Most of the walking was getting to the areas we were hunting.  We walked to get as far away from people as we could...then hunted those areas, walking back after dark, which was a bit sketchy due to the number of large cat tracks we saw!

I'll admit to being tired and frustrated...lol.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: Skillet on September 09, 2013, 01:26:33 PM
LOL, sounds like somebody is getting a bit punchy, since his Big Bull season isn't for three more weeks!  :chuckle:

"Click"...
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 01:40:02 PM
LOL, sounds like somebody is getting a bit punchy, since his Big Bull season isn't for three more weeks!  :chuckle:

"Click"...

I'm unsure who or what you're referring to...
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: WalleyeJason on September 09, 2013, 01:40:39 PM
Quote
I'll admit to being tired and frustrated...lol.

Ya, I hear what your saying. Its frustrating when you put in all that work and have it spoiled.

Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: WalleyeJason on September 09, 2013, 01:46:47 PM
LOL, sounds like somebody is getting a bit punchy, since his Big Bull season isn't for three more weeks!  :chuckle:

"Click"...

"Click"

Sorry Returnofsid, Skillet and I have a big hunt coming up, and I think we are choping at the bit to get in the woods...

"Click"
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: Skillet on September 09, 2013, 01:47:25 PM
LOL, sounds like somebody is getting a bit punchy, since his Big Bull season isn't for three more weeks!  :chuckle:

"Click"...

I'm unsure who or what you're referring to...

Ah - I forgot to quote WJ's infinite wisdom in my post...

More to the point, I've been there too, with deer not elk.  After busting my arse to get down the hill into the thick nasty north side of a gated area for whitetail, not long after dawn a couple to jerkwads on scooters come down the logging roads in the canyon I was in.  No, they weren't disabled (physically, anyway).  I knew this because I had words with them at their camp the next day about what a locked gate on a road meant.

Very, very  frustrating.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: Skillet on September 09, 2013, 01:49:34 PM
LOL, sounds like somebody is getting a bit punchy, since his Big Bull season isn't for three more weeks!  :chuckle:

"Click"...

"Click"

Sorry Returnofsid, Skillet and I have a big hunt coming up, and I think we are choping at the bit to get in the woods...

"Click"

Oh man, I've chomped clean through my bit and am flossing with a boresnake to get the brass out of my teeth!  I'm ready to go!!
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: skeeter 20i on September 09, 2013, 02:05:41 PM
5 days of elk hunting, with very little sign of elk and nothing bugling, averaging about 15 miles of hiking per day.  Yesterday evening, the last evening of hunting, I'm sitting on a stump where I'd seen a monster buck with double drop tines a few days prior and hear a bull elk bugle twice, about 500 yards away.  As I'm trying to figure out where he is, so I can stalk in on him, I hear 2 car doors slam, a horn honk and then gun fire from the OK Corral!  30 yards from me, a dad and his 2 teenage sons decide to target practice with their 22s!  Ugh!  I walked up behind them and said, "Archery Elk season in the middle of nowhere, elk are finally bugling and you decide this would be a good place to target practice?!"  The dad just about jumped out of his skin, not realizing I was there. He apologizes and says "We're out of here."  I relocated about 2 miles away, with a couple mountain ridges between us.  I could hear them shooting still, 2 hours later!  GRRRRR!!!!!

As I walk out, I see his truck blocking the Forest Service gate to the road I'd walked in on...

Is it wrong to admit I wondered how his tires would stand up to a broadhead?

With all do respect, um noo let's stop with the internet commando account of the events shall we? 

Yeah I'm the father that was there and those were my two sons and yes we came out to spend a little father sons time shooting some .22's mostly because the youngest is nervous as all get out about passing his hunters ed class.

"gunfire from the OK corral"  The youngest had a single shot .22 cub and the oldest still only gets 5 rounds at a time. Sooooo maybe perhaps a slight exaggeration?

Did I forget to check the regs?  yes and I apologized and I told you I could absolutely understand your irritation as it would have irritated me as well.

Did I offer to move? yes three times to which you replied "might as well stay here you're here now"  Which we did. 

"jumped out of my skin?" Hardly Sir, but whatever, I'll let you have the chest thumping on that one.

Broadhead to the tires was your thought? :bdid:  You should have turned around Sir I was slowly walking right behind you as you walked out, I suspected that if you had you been a person with no integrity you might have done something like that, I'm very glad for both our sakes that wasn't the case and I'm glad that line was a joke.

Yeah yeah state land I had just as much right to be there as you etc etc. that's a given.  But still I would have shook your hand and apologized for my oversight  on the regs and gladly relocated had you just came up and given me the "hey man do you realize it's elk archery season".  Instead you came out of the brush saying what you said and getting told you need to calm the hell down, which you did and that was appreciated.

"They were shooting towards my camp trailer, which they knew was there."  Both targets were back dropped by hillsides and there were NO campsites visible.  Besides if we were shooting at your camp why did you walk away and continue to let us shoot in that direction without so much as a word? 
........

Again I apologize for the negative encounter and regret that it caused you a frustrating end to your hunt.  There was no ill intent on our part and I hope there is none moving forward on yours.

P.S.  Sorry this had to be my first post.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: Jonathan_S on September 09, 2013, 02:16:40 PM
5 days of elk hunting, with very little sign of elk and nothing bugling, averaging about 15 miles of hiking per day.  Yesterday evening, the last evening of hunting, I'm sitting on a stump where I'd seen a monster buck with double drop tines a few days prior and hear a bull elk bugle twice, about 500 yards away.  As I'm trying to figure out where he is, so I can stalk in on him, I hear 2 car doors slam, a horn honk and then gun fire from the OK Corral!  30 yards from me, a dad and his 2 teenage sons decide to target practice with their 22s!  Ugh!  I walked up behind them and said, "Archery Elk season in the middle of nowhere, elk are finally bugling and you decide this would be a good place to target practice?!"  The dad just about jumped out of his skin, not realizing I was there. He apologizes and says "We're out of here."  I relocated about 2 miles away, with a couple mountain ridges between us.  I could hear them shooting still, 2 hours later!  GRRRRR!!!!!

As I walk out, I see his truck blocking the Forest Service gate to the road I'd walked in on...

Is it wrong to admit I wondered how his tires would stand up to a broadhead?

With all do respect, um noo let's stop with the internet commando account of the events shall we? 

Yeah I'm the father that was there and those were my two sons and yes we came out to spend a little father sons time shooting some .22's mostly because the youngest is nervous as all get out about passing his hunters ed class.

"gunfire from the OK corral"  The youngest had a single shot .22 cub and the oldest still only gets 5 rounds at a time. Sooooo maybe perhaps a slight exaggeration?

Did I forget to check the regs?  yes and I apologized and I told you I could absolutely understand your irritation as it would have irritated me as well.

Did I offer to move? yes three times to which you replied "might as well stay here you're here now"  Which we did. 

"jumped out of my skin?" Hardly Sir, but whatever, I'll let you have the chest thumping on that one.

Broadhead to the tires was your thought? :bdid:  You should have turned around Sir I was slowly walking right behind you as you walked out, I suspected that if you had you been a person with no integrity you might have done something like that, I'm very glad for both our sakes that wasn't the case and I'm glad that line was a joke.

Yeah yeah state land I had just as much right to be there as you etc etc. that's a given.  But still I would have shook your hand and apologized for my oversight  on the regs and gladly relocated had you just came up and given me the "hey man do you realize it's elk archery season".  Instead you came out of the brush saying what you said and getting told you need to calm the hell down, which you did and that was appreciated.

"They were shooting towards my camp trailer, which they knew was there."  Both targets were back dropped by hillsides and there were NO campsites visible.  Besides if we were shooting at your camp why did you walk away and continue to let us shoot in that direction without so much as a word? 
........

Again I apologize for the negative encounter and regret that it caused you a frustrating end to your hunt.  There was no ill intent on our part and I hope there is none moving forward on yours.

P.S.  Sorry this had to be my first post.

Baam!  Accountability at it's finest.

I love a plot twist.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on September 09, 2013, 02:18:42 PM
5 days of elk hunting, with very little sign of elk and nothing bugling, averaging about 15 miles of hiking per day.  Yesterday evening, the last evening of hunting, I'm sitting on a stump where I'd seen a monster buck with double drop tines a few days prior and hear a bull elk bugle twice, about 500 yards away.  As I'm trying to figure out where he is, so I can stalk in on him, I hear 2 car doors slam, a horn honk and then gun fire from the OK Corral!  30 yards from me, a dad and his 2 teenage sons decide to target practice with their 22s!  Ugh!  I walked up behind them and said, "Archery Elk season in the middle of nowhere, elk are finally bugling and you decide this would be a good place to target practice?!"  The dad just about jumped out of his skin, not realizing I was there. He apologizes and says "We're out of here."  I relocated about 2 miles away, with a couple mountain ridges between us.  I could hear them shooting still, 2 hours later!  GRRRRR!!!!!

As I walk out, I see his truck blocking the Forest Service gate to the road I'd walked in on...

Is it wrong to admit I wondered how his tires would stand up to a broadhead?

With all do respect, um noo let's stop with the internet commando account of the events shall we? 

Yeah I'm the father that was there and those were my two sons and yes we came out to spend a little father sons time shooting some .22's mostly because the youngest is nervous as all get out about passing his hunters ed class.

"gunfire from the OK corral"  The youngest had a single shot .22 cub and the oldest still only gets 5 rounds at a time. Sooooo maybe perhaps a slight exaggeration?

Did I forget to check the regs?  yes and I apologized and I told you I could absolutely understand your irritation as it would have irritated me as well.

Did I offer to move? yes three times to which you replied "might as well stay here you're here now"  Which we did. 

"jumped out of my skin?" Hardly Sir, but whatever, I'll let you have the chest thumping on that one.

Broadhead to the tires was your thought? :bdid:  You should have turned around Sir I was slowly walking right behind you as you walked out, I suspected that if you had you been a person with no integrity you might have done something like that, I'm very glad for both our sakes that wasn't the case and I'm glad that line was a joke.

Yeah yeah state land I had just as much right to be there as you etc etc. that's a given.  But still I would have shook your hand and apologized for my oversight  on the regs and gladly relocated had you just came up and given me the "hey man do you realize it's elk archery season".  Instead you came out of the brush saying what you said and getting told you need to calm the hell down, which you did and that was appreciated.

"They were shooting towards my camp trailer, which they knew was there."  Both targets were back dropped by hillsides and there were NO campsites visible.  Besides if we were shooting at your camp why did you walk away and continue to let us shoot in that direction without so much as a word? 
........

Again I apologize for the negative encounter and regret that it caused you a frustrating end to your hunt.  There was no ill intent on our part and I hope there is none moving forward on yours.

P.S.  Sorry this had to be my first post.

skeeter 20i....thanks for coming on and setting the story straight. Too bad your boys had to see a fellow hunter respond the way he did to what was a perfectly legitimate activity.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: Curly on September 09, 2013, 02:21:50 PM
Wow, Skeeter 20i..............how did you ever find this thread?  :dunno:
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 02:22:25 PM
5 days of elk hunting, with very little sign of elk and nothing bugling, averaging about 15 miles of hiking per day.  Yesterday evening, the last evening of hunting, I'm sitting on a stump where I'd seen a monster buck with double drop tines a few days prior and hear a bull elk bugle twice, about 500 yards away.  As I'm trying to figure out where he is, so I can stalk in on him, I hear 2 car doors slam, a horn honk and then gun fire from the OK Corral!  30 yards from me, a dad and his 2 teenage sons decide to target practice with their 22s!  Ugh!  I walked up behind them and said, "Archery Elk season in the middle of nowhere, elk are finally bugling and you decide this would be a good place to target practice?!"  The dad just about jumped out of his skin, not realizing I was there. He apologizes and says "We're out of here."  I relocated about 2 miles away, with a couple mountain ridges between us.  I could hear them shooting still, 2 hours later!  GRRRRR!!!!!

As I walk out, I see his truck blocking the Forest Service gate to the road I'd walked in on...

Is it wrong to admit I wondered how his tires would stand up to a broadhead?

With all do respect, um noo let's stop with the internet commando account of the events shall we? 

Yeah I'm the father that was there and those were my two sons and yes we came out to spend a little father sons time shooting some .22's mostly because the youngest is nervous as all get out about passing his hunters ed class.

"gunfire from the OK corral"  The youngest had a single shot .22 cub and the oldest still only gets 5 rounds at a time. Sooooo maybe perhaps a slight exaggeration?

Did I forget to check the regs?  yes and I apologized and I told you I could absolutely understand your irritation as it would have irritated me as well.

Did I offer to move? yes three times to which you replied "might as well stay here you're here now"  Which we did. 

"jumped out of my skin?" Hardly Sir, but whatever, I'll let you have the chest thumping on that one.

Broadhead to the tires was your thought? :bdid:  You should have turned around Sir I was slowly walking right behind you as you walked out, I suspected that if you had you been a person with no integrity you might have done something like that, I'm very glad for both our sakes that wasn't the case and I'm glad that line was a joke.

Yeah yeah state land I had just as much right to be there as you etc etc. that's a given.  But still I would have shook your hand and apologized for my oversight  on the regs and gladly relocated had you just came up and given me the "hey man do you realize it's elk archery season".  Instead you came out of the brush saying what you said and getting told you need to calm the hell down, which you did and that was appreciated.

"They were shooting towards my camp trailer, which they knew was there."  Both targets were back dropped by hillsides and there were NO campsites visible.  Besides if we were shooting at your camp why did you walk away and continue to let us shoot in that direction without so much as a word? 
........

Again I apologize for the negative encounter and regret that it caused you a frustrating end to your hunt.  There was no ill intent on our part and I hope there is none moving forward on yours.

P.S.  Sorry this had to be my first post.

First off, the "arrow through the tire" thing was a complete joke and something I'd never even contemplate. It was never an actual thought and I regret typing it and apologize for doing so.

I'm glad you got to spend father son time, I really am.  I was doing the same with my son.  After a lot more thought, I do feel that I overreacted, especially at the time.  I was very frustrated but I understand that you and your sons had just as much right to be there, doing what you were doing, as I did.

Yes, my camp trailer was parked about 75-100 yards directly in front of your targets actually.  From where I was standing, when I approached you, I could clearly see it, so I'm at a bit of a loss to explain how you missed it.  You probably actually heard me start up my Suburban and pull out, about 15 minutes after our encounter.

"Gunfire at the OK Corral" is exactly how it sounded by about 6:00PM, shortly before all gunfire ceased. 

"Saying what I said?"  All I said was "Archery elk season, there's elk finally bugling and you decide to come out target practicing?"  Even that was uncalled for and I apologize for that.  Even before approaching you, I yelled out, to at least let you know I was in the area.  When I yelled out, I didn't know what direction you were shooting, I only knew you were very close. 

As for your apology, I was frustrated but you have no reason at all to apologize!  You really don't. Again, you had as much right to be on public land as anyone and I overreacted.  Spending quality time with your sons, teaching them to shoot is very admirable and I commend you on that.  I also feel I owe you an apology, personally, for my behavior, which most likely led to the negative encounter.  I absolutely realize that you had no ill intent and again, I sincerely apologize for how I overreacted.


Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: quadrafire on September 09, 2013, 02:24:44 PM
Hey Skeeter......
Tell that young one not to fret the hunters ed class. The ones I have been involved with are not concerned about accuracy, It is more about muzzle control and safety issues while in the field.
 :tup:
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 02:24:54 PM
5 days of elk hunting, with very little sign of elk and nothing bugling, averaging about 15 miles of hiking per day.  Yesterday evening, the last evening of hunting, I'm sitting on a stump where I'd seen a monster buck with double drop tines a few days prior and hear a bull elk bugle twice, about 500 yards away.  As I'm trying to figure out where he is, so I can stalk in on him, I hear 2 car doors slam, a horn honk and then gun fire from the OK Corral!  30 yards from me, a dad and his 2 teenage sons decide to target practice with their 22s!  Ugh!  I walked up behind them and said, "Archery Elk season in the middle of nowhere, elk are finally bugling and you decide this would be a good place to target practice?!"  The dad just about jumped out of his skin, not realizing I was there. He apologizes and says "We're out of here."  I relocated about 2 miles away, with a couple mountain ridges between us.  I could hear them shooting still, 2 hours later!  GRRRRR!!!!!

As I walk out, I see his truck blocking the Forest Service gate to the road I'd walked in on...

Is it wrong to admit I wondered how his tires would stand up to a broadhead?

With all do respect, um noo let's stop with the internet commando account of the events shall we? 

Yeah I'm the father that was there and those were my two sons and yes we came out to spend a little father sons time shooting some .22's mostly because the youngest is nervous as all get out about passing his hunters ed class.

"gunfire from the OK corral"  The youngest had a single shot .22 cub and the oldest still only gets 5 rounds at a time. Sooooo maybe perhaps a slight exaggeration?

Did I forget to check the regs?  yes and I apologized and I told you I could absolutely understand your irritation as it would have irritated me as well.

Did I offer to move? yes three times to which you replied "might as well stay here you're here now"  Which we did. 

"jumped out of my skin?" Hardly Sir, but whatever, I'll let you have the chest thumping on that one.

Broadhead to the tires was your thought? :bdid:  You should have turned around Sir I was slowly walking right behind you as you walked out, I suspected that if you had you been a person with no integrity you might have done something like that, I'm very glad for both our sakes that wasn't the case and I'm glad that line was a joke.

Yeah yeah state land I had just as much right to be there as you etc etc. that's a given.  But still I would have shook your hand and apologized for my oversight  on the regs and gladly relocated had you just came up and given me the "hey man do you realize it's elk archery season".  Instead you came out of the brush saying what you said and getting told you need to calm the hell down, which you did and that was appreciated.

"They were shooting towards my camp trailer, which they knew was there."  Both targets were back dropped by hillsides and there were NO campsites visible.  Besides if we were shooting at your camp why did you walk away and continue to let us shoot in that direction without so much as a word? 
........

Again I apologize for the negative encounter and regret that it caused you a frustrating end to your hunt.  There was no ill intent on our part and I hope there is none moving forward on yours.

P.S.  Sorry this had to be my first post.

skeeter 20i....thanks for coming on and setting the story straight. Too bad your boys had to see a fellow hunter respond the way he did to what was a perfectly legitimate activity.

There's no story to set straight. His boys saw minor frustration, nothing more.  As I'd mentioned earlier, my language was kept completely G rated and the only time I raised my voice was to initially let them know that there was someone very near where they were shooting, before I started walking out.

Wow, Skeeter 20i..............how did you ever find this thread?  :dunno:

I'm actually glad he did.  It gives me a chance, once again, to apologize for my behavior
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: Becky on September 09, 2013, 02:29:24 PM
 :o plot twist indeed..

Hey Skeeter......
Tell that young one not to fret the hunters ed class. The ones I have been involved with are not concerned about accuracy, It is more about muzzle control and safety issues while in the field.
 :tup:

 :yeah: coming from a newly passed, they don't care about accuracy at all. They don't grade on the shoot, it's more or less watching you load and unload. They do grade how they handle the rifle and they have a 0 tolerance policy for muzzle control. I'd practice walking your sons around with the rifle, setting it down without facing it towards anyone, checking the barrel while facing it towards the sky after unloading, going through gates/fences, getting in and out of boats, passing the rifle back and forth to each other - and make sure they unload before each of these actions, and watch the muzzle control.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: Curly on September 09, 2013, 02:34:42 PM
Awesome guys!  An apology from Skeeter and an apology from returnofsid.  This could have gotten ugly.......but you guys show class. :tup:
 8)
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 02:35:43 PM
Unfortunately, I didn't show as much class out in the woods... :(
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: skeeter 20i on September 09, 2013, 02:37:28 PM
5 days of elk hunting, with very little sign of elk and nothing bugling, averaging about 15 miles of hiking per day.  Yesterday evening, the last evening of hunting, I'm sitting on a stump where I'd seen a monster buck with double drop tines a few days prior and hear a bull elk bugle twice, about 500 yards away.  As I'm trying to figure out where he is, so I can stalk in on him, I hear 2 car doors slam, a horn honk and then gun fire from the OK Corral!  30 yards from me, a dad and his 2 teenage sons decide to target practice with their 22s!  Ugh!  I walked up behind them and said, "Archery Elk season in the middle of nowhere, elk are finally bugling and you decide this would be a good place to target practice?!"  The dad just about jumped out of his skin, not realizing I was there. He apologizes and says "We're out of here."  I relocated about 2 miles away, with a couple mountain ridges between us.  I could hear them shooting still, 2 hours later!  GRRRRR!!!!!

As I walk out, I see his truck blocking the Forest Service gate to the road I'd walked in on...

Is it wrong to admit I wondered how his tires would stand up to a broadhead?

With all do respect, um noo let's stop with the internet commando account of the events shall we? 

Yeah I'm the father that was there and those were my two sons and yes we came out to spend a little father sons time shooting some .22's mostly because the youngest is nervous as all get out about passing his hunters ed class.

"gunfire from the OK corral"  The youngest had a single shot .22 cub and the oldest still only gets 5 rounds at a time. Sooooo maybe perhaps a slight exaggeration?

Did I forget to check the regs?  yes and I apologized and I told you I could absolutely understand your irritation as it would have irritated me as well.

Did I offer to move? yes three times to which you replied "might as well stay here you're here now"  Which we did. 

"jumped out of my skin?" Hardly Sir, but whatever, I'll let you have the chest thumping on that one.

Broadhead to the tires was your thought? :bdid:  You should have turned around Sir I was slowly walking right behind you as you walked out, I suspected that if you had you been a person with no integrity you might have done something like that, I'm very glad for both our sakes that wasn't the case and I'm glad that line was a joke.

Yeah yeah state land I had just as much right to be there as you etc etc. that's a given.  But still I would have shook your hand and apologized for my oversight  on the regs and gladly relocated had you just came up and given me the "hey man do you realize it's elk archery season".  Instead you came out of the brush saying what you said and getting told you need to calm the hell down, which you did and that was appreciated.

"They were shooting towards my camp trailer, which they knew was there."  Both targets were back dropped by hillsides and there were NO campsites visible.  Besides if we were shooting at your camp why did you walk away and continue to let us shoot in that direction without so much as a word? 
........

Again I apologize for the negative encounter and regret that it caused you a frustrating end to your hunt.  There was no ill intent on our part and I hope there is none moving forward on yours.

P.S.  Sorry this had to be my first post.

skeeter 20i....thanks for coming on and setting the story straight. Too bad your boys had to see a fellow hunter respond the way he did to what was a perfectly legitimate activity.

There's no story to set straight. His boys saw minor frustration, nothing more.  As I'd mentioned earlier, my language was kept completely G rated and the only time I raised my voice was to initially let them know that there was someone very near where they were shooting, before I started walking out.

Wow, Skeeter 20i..............how did you ever find this thread?  :dunno:

I'm actually glad he did.  It gives me a chance, once again, to apologize for my behavior

To be absolutely clear here, Returnofsid was never out of line he only showed signs of frustration, his language was appropriate, and the encounter was non confrontational. 

I apologized, he apologized, I would like to chalk it up to an unfortunate event.  No hard feelings, and the boys are no worse for the encounter.

Returnofsid  :brew: 's if we ever meet again sir.

Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: mrmoskillz on September 09, 2013, 02:42:51 PM
 :brew:
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 09, 2013, 02:44:10 PM
Skeeter, I agree and the first round is on me!   :brew:

Also, if it hadn't been for the fact that I'd heard an elk bugle, twice, 30 seconds before I heard your doors close, after not hearing a peep for 5 days, I wouldn't have been irritated at all.  So, I guess we can blame it all on the elk!  BTW, that elk was close, right up on the hill behind where you were standing when I walked out...maybe one of us will get him.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on September 09, 2013, 03:09:06 PM
Awesome guys  :tup:
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on September 09, 2013, 05:08:37 PM
Good...ending to the situation.  :tup:
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: KopperBuck on September 09, 2013, 10:20:31 PM
Awesome
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: KopperBuck on September 09, 2013, 10:24:58 PM

I've had archery hunters give us the dirty look when grouse hunting. I just smile and wave.

Heck, I kept one arrow tipped with a Judo tip, just in case I got a shot at a grouse.  I will say, there's an abundance of grouse where I was elk hunting.  I passed up a few "iffy" grouse shots where I figured I'd lose my arrow...lol.

Grouse hunters, even those using shotguns, didn't bother me at all.  We're all hunters.   I have nothing against a dad taking his sons out shooting.  I've been that dad.  They were shooting towards my camp trailer, which they knew was there.  The fact that I was also finally on a bull just compounded the irritation factor...that part wasn't their fault though.

Packing some buddies in this week and better believe the shotgun is going. Even pointed me out to the blues we saw.

Happy to hear the OP and company are on good terms. Unfortunately we cross paths during unfortunate times. As long as we realize and understand our motives, as sportsmen, 99% of the time we come to a positive resolution. Keep it up!
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: HntnFsh on September 10, 2013, 05:59:22 AM
Glad to see a good ending to this.

Skeeter 20 hope your son passes hunter ed with flying colors. Nothing beter than spending time with our kids doing what we love.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: FamilyMan01 on September 11, 2013, 08:34:54 PM
15 miles a day???? I don't even do that when I am chuckar hunting let alone archery elk.

However, I would have been frustrated as well. Seems the best thing to do is head deeper into the timber.
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: cryder on September 12, 2013, 09:35:47 AM
PRINTED FROM MY A A R P SPECIAL ADDITION KEYBOARD ,again !just another way fish and feathers protects there,resources ,jam all kinds of activities into the same area ,after charging us bow hunters to be there then throw in a couple road closures a little fire , lightning storm ,a mud slide,turret gunners some A R fifteen practice and you got public pay your way in lands hunting , next year my money goes to private land owners I get it but no more for me !HEY TURRETTE GUNNER YTOUR FACE PAINT IS RUNNING ! :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Irritating end to an Elk Hunt
Post by: returnofsid on September 13, 2013, 09:55:46 AM
Let's change the atmosphere of this thread, since it changed courses, possibly towards a future friendship!

Here's a couple photos of some of the area my son and I enjoyed...

After hiking to the top of a ridge, looking down into a steep valley, my son says "Think we oughta see what's down there?"  Mind you, it was pouring rain, we were already soaked and wore out from miles of hiking...  Me, the father who doesn't want to admit to his son that he's struggling to keep up with the young man, "Sure, let's do it!"  So, down we go...

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.staticflickr.com%2F5523%2F9716338731_a0b5285727_c.jpg&hash=3230661a95d4ade77d0f1e1fe9b602211cee3b7b)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.staticflickr.com%2F5535%2F9716340625_59efa72952_b.jpg&hash=09659f72640600052189d172f8dc558cb7cf6253)

After finding the creek that we knew would lead us back near the Suburban, we started following it.  Eventually after about a mile, due to all the dead fallen trees (it looked like a game of Pick Up Sticks), we decided we had no choice but to hike back up. 

We spend a couple hours hiking back up hill, to end up at the exact same spot we were standing, when my son asked "Think we oughta see what's down there?" 
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